The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-24
and nearer to close. For .
wonder the gallery had but few persons in e

ator Fowler for the moment, as chairman Of t1e
committee on engrossed bills, was studying ons
OF those documents. Whether it came to him
by inspiration or warning, he detected dangefs
and. holding the eugrossed bill in his LETT arm,
he arose, and, beamng benevolenty over his
spectacles at Senator Smith, in the chair. saads
.'Mr. President move the Senate do now Cd
journ."
''Mr. President quickly said Senator Hustoar
as he stepped rapidly to the froat row OF seats
To this Smith gave no heed, saying ''The Sens
tor from Owen moves
"Mr. President" insisted Senator Huston, Il
arise to a question Of privilege and that. saFs
has right over motion to adjourn"
Nothing" said Senator Smith, who up to this
time had kept his temper has right over .
IL desire to read something" shouted Senator
Huston, ''and upon that insist upon my quea-
tion of privilege" By this time the Senate was
and gathering nearer their leader while the
Democrats arose, waiting for their cue to act
'The Senator from Owen" cried Senator
Smith, moves that the Senate do now adjourn.s
and to this he kept time by viciously rapplna
with the gavel while the Republicans hernandez
by all rights of courtesy and parliamentary Law
a hearing. Above the din could be heard the
voice of Smith repeating the motion to adjourn.
and as he and friends have not been of lAte
days to trust the majority even on arbitrary
rulings OF mild form, he hurried tha motion
through while Senator Huston was still demand
ing his right and that of the minority to be
! fed by people in the lobby coming to the
| scene of the trouble and on the lookout for .
serious outbreak, Senator Huston could be heard
denouncing the act ''as one becoming only
| usurper, pretender and coward" 'It is a COW
| ardly act, say" shouted the Senator, .'for
| thirty two men thus to seek to down eighteen
| "Go hire a hail." remarked Senator Smith. a.
he stood showing signs of bewiderment and
| only hopefuness in what the Democratic ma
| jority able to do for him.
| II notified you of this" cried Senator De
| Motto, on the east side OF the chamber, some
| what away from the center of the scene II
notified you OF this and YOU said you were not
| afraid of it, but to let it come Now, like
coward. you skulk behind motion to adjourn
"And yes" shouted Senator Huston. when
| you were shown the certificate of the Supreme
| Court clerk that the decision had been made,
| you told the gentleman to take it back to the
clerk and tell him to 20 to hell. It is this paper
l wanted to read, and it is the act of coward to
| prevent its being read by motion to adjourn
During this there were cries for Robertson. and
| applause after applause from the Republican,
| while the Democrats settled their consciences
and satisfied their bravery by jeers and laughter.
as if it was the greatest accomplishment of their
lives by beating down the rights of a helpless
minority with the club of brutal majority.
Senator Fowler after the adjournment, did not
relish the overhaulng he received oy the Repub-
licans, and reached a condition of violent pro-
family, but nothing more could be done
except to let Smith sit in the
| Presidents chair for half hour more
passed.
this to guard against possessionof it being taken
by the Lieutenant governor. Preparations were
| made to shield the chamber from entrance by
any one not in the favor of Democratic leaders.
After the excitement had passed away the Dem.
ocratc Senators held brief caucus. without re-
sult and then left the chamber to be cared for
by their guard of door-keepers. During the ex-
citement a messenger was sent for the assist
ance OF the Metropolitan Police but it was not
needed. 1t was a Democratic demand. excited
by Democratic apprehension, that which always
friehten robbers when they have, for time,
even every thing to themselves.
! During the afternoon the business OF the
House was conducted without any event OF ex-
traordinary interest until toward. evening
Republican Senators had beer dropping in
quietly, while leaders of the party, Also could be
found in the lobby. Lieutenant governor Rob
ertson about this hour, took seat at the Speak
er's side but the Democrats seemed to be I'M.
aware of anything unusual attending their
presence, until Representative Linck requested
leave to introduce a preamble and resolution.
This being granted. he sent to the Reading Clerk
paper. which was read AS follows:
| Whereas, The following certificate of the Clerk OF
the Supreme Court of the State of Indiana was this
afternoon brought to the attention of the temporary
presiding officer Of the Senate, to.wit:
THE State of Indiana. In the Supreme Court.
II, William T. Noble Clerk Of the Supreme Court
of said State do hereby certify that said Supreme
Court has. on this 23d day of February 1887, re-
versed the Judgment of the court below in the Of
Robert s. Robertson agar the State of Indiana on
relation Of Alonzo G.. Smith appealed to said Supreme
Court from the Marion Circuit Court with an opinion
holding that said court has jurisdiction of the per-
son the subject matter
Witness my band and the seal of said court, thia
WILLIAM T. NOBLE"
And whereas, such temporary presiding officer do
clined to receive allow it to be read for the in
formation of the Senate; and
Whereas Senator Huston claimed the floor
question of the highest privilege for the purpose o
having the above certificate of the action of the Su
preme Court read to the Senate but was refused by
|
floor the majority of the Senate deprived him of his
privilege by forcibe and illegal adjournment Of the
body; and
Whereas Robert s. Robertson is the lawfully elected
and duly installed Lieutenant-governor of the State
determined by joint convention of the General As
sembly held on the 18th day of January. 1887, the
legality of which and the validity of whose action has
been determined BY the decision lee Of the snprem.
the court being delivered by Justice Matlock. Demo
crat and whereas said Robert s. Robertson is present
and ready to the duties Of President of the
Senate provided by the Constitution; therefore,
Resolved. by the House of Representatives, THAI
until the House shall be officially informed that thu
said Robert S. Robertson is in the actual and peace
abe discharge of the duties of his office such pre-
siding officer the House of Representatives must re
gard the Senate illegally and unconstitutionallJ
. organized and official communication be hat
with it, in order to the due preservation of the jus
rights and responsibilities of this General Assembly.
r During the reading, earnest attention was paii
to every line of It, and at it's close there was in
tense applause that continued for a minute Of
{ more. Representative Lnck then moved thu
r adoption Of the preamble and resolution, and OF
h | that called the previous question The Demo
Gratis accented the issue without murmur o
/ protest, and contented themselves in demanding
8 the yeas and nays, both on putting the mail
q question and in the adoption of the resolution
but for whatever they desired to say
; against the resolution and Its preface
d the explaining of votes afforded al
r opportunity. This was confined to few. an!
Representative Kellison was the first to use
in saying that he voted as he did, because TO
., House 10 adopt such resolution would disgrac
1t the civilized world. II made no difference t
r. him what the Senate has done. whether 1t ha
'f outraged law or precedent which lie did no
'r concedc, whether it had made legislative blum
Is ders or not, this House cannot, with credit t
rasolufinn II is not for fh